It ended up being the Bears’ only loss of the season. Rivera was a backup linebacker on that squad, playing in all 16 games for Chicago.

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Now as a coach, Rivera guides his 12-0 Panthers in a bout with the Falcons this week hoping to avoid that same fate.

Ron Rivera got a ring with the 1985 Chicago Bears.

"It was our only loss . . . it was a tough pill," Rivera told ESPN in November.

Rivera has even hinted that he’d go for the perfect season if the Panthers — who play the Falcons, at the Giants, at Falcons again, and host the Bucs — have a chance to go 16-0.

"Hypothetically speaking, yes – to a point," Rivera said when asked.

He continued, saying: "The ultimate goal is to win it all, not necessarily be undefeated. That’s the most important thing – to come into the playoffs on an up note as opposed to down or where somebody gets hurt needlessly."